A Tribute To G-Man

Sadly, a little after midnight, we received news that an instructor whom Katrina and Bradley have both known and cherished at their high school had succumbed to pneumonia Friday morning, 5/22/09.

Click here for a news report that was done on this remarkable instructor about a year and a half ago: John Grillo

Although he worked as a computer technology instructor, John Grillo was very supportive of his students, to the point that he often attended Katrina's junior varsity volleyball games, he sponsored the Skills USA club both Katrina and Bradley were enrolled in and worked with both of them as they performed tech support services one period each day for the staff of the high school. What was most special about him was that whenever one of "G-Man's" kids were in trouble, they could always rely on him to provide unwavering, rock-solid support, both in verbal and emotional ways.

There was a time a couple of years ago, when Katrina was in serious trouble at school and the only person in the administration whom still gave her a vote of confidence was Grillo, at a point where nobody else would stand up for her, and it turns out that his belief in her was justified. To repay his kindness and confidence in her, she strove hard to become a model student, graduating with honors this year, her senior year of high school. This she attributes to one of the few instructors in her life that really cared and went far beyond being 'just' a teacher.

G-Man left this world after too brief of a life span, but in the time he was allotted, he touched many lives, as only an instructor that garners respect by way of respectful actions can. Any child that came within his reach, came away from the experience more self confident and empowered with a keen knowledge of his or her abilities to reach for ever higher goals.

You will not be forgotten, G-Man, for your work lives on through the youth you have thusly inspired. It is sad that you will not be there in the stands at graduation, beaming brightly as you watch yet another group of your seniors accept the rite of passage and step across the threshold to adulthood. They know that you will be there in spirit, if not in body, and take solace in the knowledge that they have done right by you.

God speed, kind soul, until we meet again...


UPDATE, by Katrina - 5/24/09

The wake for Mr. Grillo will be held on Tuesday, 5/26/09 from 6PM to 8 PM at Stowers Funeral Home, located at 401 West Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that you make donations to SkillsUSA, a service club for which G-Man was quite active. Please make checks payable to Middleton High School - SkillsUSA. This donation can be presented to the funeral home and will be disbursed appropriately.

"We miss you Grillo" - Katrina...